The C-5 is a colossal aircraft, but the C-17 is a heavyweight in its own right. The Galaxy can move roughly double the cargo per sortie, which makes it the backbone of the supply chain.

A total of 131 C-5 Galaxies were built, while Boeing's losing design went on to be the 747 and accumulated over 1,500 sales.

The C-5M, C-17, and C-130 have proven adept at meeting the full sweep of logistical challenges facing the US military.

In addition, the C-5’s fuel capacity is remarkable. The aircraft’s twelve integral wing tanks can hold over 51,000 gallons of fuel (approximately 332,500 pounds).

Boeing's massive C-17 Globemaster III is still flying around the world, and Boeing may make more of them. But why did it kill the C-17 in the first place?

The Amazing Way Cargo is Loaded onto a C-5 Galaxy Plane Smithsonian Channel ... Video unavailable Watch on YouTube ...